The City of Cape Town’s water and sanitation directorate has advised that various areas will experience water supply disruptions this week as the team conducts planned work on its water supply infrastructure.
Residents in affected areas are advised that water supplies may be disrupted and are encouraged to plan for alternative water supply arrangements during this time.
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The following areas will be affected:
Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments:
Joe Slovo, Phoenix and Centurion Business Park (Milnerton)
- Tuesday, 30 April, from 10am until 4pm
According to the directorate, some residents in these affected areas may experience low water pressure, while others may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during this period.
The directorate added that it is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.
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Maintenance work: pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements
Witsands, Saxonworld, Three Fountains and Farm Areas (Atlantis)
- Monday, 29 April, from 8am until 4pm
The directorate will be attending to a leak in the main water supply pipeline to these areas. Water tankers for domestic-use water will be made available. Their locations will be communicated by the local ward councillor and via City’s alerts account on X
Blackheath Water Treatment Plant
- Thursday, 2 May, from 6am until 8pm on Friday, 3 May
The Blackheath Water Treatment Plant will be shut down for the installation of penstocks.
According to the directorate, the penstocks are used to shut off and redirect flow in the channels when water treatment process units are taken out of commission for maintenance.
The shutdown will impact the water supply to the Glen Garry and Newlands reservoirs.
While the City will be topping up its distribution reservoirs prior to the shutdown, the directorate has requested that residents across the city reduce their water consumption during this period.
What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions
The City says careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.
However, maintenance work can sometimes be more complex than anticipated, resulting in longer-than-expected periods of water supply disruptions.
Additionally, all sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to members of the public.
The City advises that for a short period after the water supply is restored, the water may be discoloured or milky in appearance due to the presence of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand, the water will become clear in colour again.
How to prepare
Residents are encouraged to keep taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage, as well as store enough water in clean, sealed containers to last during this period.
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